Posted: 02-Jun-25
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Type: Full Time
Salary: $70,000-$75,000
ABOUT
Formed in 1928-29 as the first professional symphony orchestra in the Southwest, the TSO is the longest continuously performing professional arts organization in Arizona. The mission of the organization is to build and enrich community through the experience of live music of the highest quality. It serves more than 120,000 lives each year, including 35,000 students, through concerts, educational programming and outreach.
Under the artistic leadership of Music Director José Luis Gomez since 2016, the TSO’s vision is to reflect its many communities and bring them together through music, creating deeper connections with the region’s heritage. and making music for all Tucson and southern Arizona.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Director of Education and Community Engagement is responsible for the creation, implementation, management and evaluation of educational and community engagement programs designed to increase the public value of the TSO beyond concert attendees. This is an opportunity for the Director, in collaboration with the Music Director, President & CEO and senior leadership, to help shape a long-term strategy, to forge essential partnerships, and build broad-based support for the Symphony among educational and civic institutions. As a focus of future programming, the Director will envision how the TSO’s resources can support new initiatives in the areas of youth instrumental performance, health, wellness and neurodiversity, including within economic challenged communities.
S/he supervises the Education Manager, three Composition Instructors, and a team of event-based volunteers. Additionally, the successful Director will draw upon the resources of the orchestra (musicians, artistic staff, music director and composer-in-residence) in expanding the educational and community engagement, fundraising and strategic goals of the TSO.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Oversees all Tucson Symphony Orchestra education programs, and executes the day-to-day operations of Young Composers Project, Just for Kids, and Band and Orchestra Clinics.
• Supervises the Education Manager’s administration of TSO’s four school-based education programs:
KinderKonzerts, Music in the Schools, Young People’s Concerts, and Tax Credit Assistance.
• Develops and maintains relationships with local student performing organizations, public school districts leadership and local music educators from pre-school through collegiate level to identify needs and effectively develop, administer, and modify the TSO’s education programs to meet those needs.
• Engages with TSO Leadership, the Music Director, artistic staff and musicians to develop plans for educational and community engagement initiatives.
• Develops annual operating plans with action items, timelines and ownership.
• Develops and administers Community Engagement programs that meet the TSO’s goals of being more relevant and committed to communities not historically engaged with the TSO, including the Hispanic and Native American communities.
• Working with the Marketing Department, forges partnerships with key civic and educational leaders and organizations in support of Community Engagement goals.
• Utilizes musician services available for ensemble services in the Collective Bargaining Agreement to accomplish institutional goals efficiently and effectively.
• Develops revenue and expense budgets for each Education and Community Engagement program, monitors progress of each and adjusts as necessary. Sets revenue goals and creatively seeks opportunities to meet those goals.
• Works closely with the Development Department to identify and support funding proposals including grantwriting for ongoing and new initiatives; creates and administers surveys to schools and organizations to assist with data collection for funders.
• Acts as TSO’s primary spokesperson in education matters; contributes to communications that promote the value of Education and Community Engagement programs.
• Serves as contact and supervisor for events, including some evenings and weekends.
• Uses Archtics patron software and OPAS event scheduling and production software.
• Recruits and supervises volunteers to help staff education and community engagement activities.
• Other duties as assigned.
REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor’s degree, and minimum of three to five years of related experience.
• Working knowledge of orchestral repertoire.
• Passion for learning, music and arts education, and community engagement, and a desire to achieve equity
of access to TSO’s programs.
• Strategic and creative thinker with a track record of developing and executing coordinated, impactful plans.
• Experience in creating and tracking budgets.
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with internal and external stakeholders to advance strategic objectives. Positive customer service attitude.
• Excellent managerial skills including motivation, leadership, and goal achievement.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Highly effective written and verbal skills.
• Computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, and Google Classroom and Forms.
• Essential Functions:
o Available to work nights and weekends for concert duty and other events.
o Available to travel to performances throughout Pima County as needed.
o Maintain an active driver’s license and vehicle insurance.
PREFERABLE SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
• Degree in music performance, education or arts management.
• Experience in arts/education administration.
• Working knowledge of Spanish.
POSITION DETAILS
Title: Director of Education and Community Engagement
Reports to: VP and General Manager
Supervises: Manager of Education and Community Engagement; three composition instructors Classification: Full-time, exempt
Hours: Minimum 40 hours/week
Remote Position: No
Compensation: Within a range of $70,000-$75,000 Benefits: Comprehensive benefits
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Tucson Symphony Orchestra is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances. Tucson Symphony Orchestra’s management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities, programs, and general treatment during employment.
INCLUSION
Our patrons and audiences come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it makes our company stronger. If you share our values and our enthusiasm for the performing arts, you will find a home at TSO.
BACKGROUND CHECKS
Prior to submitting your application package for this position, please review it carefully for accuracy. TSO does verify academic credentials for its candidates, and frequently conducts background checks including work history before finalizing an offer.